Canon 1200D vs Leica M-E Typ 240

The Canon EOS 1200D (called Canon T5 in some regions) and the Leica M-E (Typ 240) are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2014 and June 2019. The 1200D is a DSLR, while the M-E Typ 240 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera. The cameras are based on an APS-C (1200D) and a full frame (M-E Typ 240) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 17.9 megapixels, whereas the Leica provides 23.7 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 1200D		Leica M-E Typ 240
Digital single lens reflex		Rangefinder camera
Canon EF mount lenses		Leica M mount lenses
17.9 MP, APS-C Sensor		23.7 MP, Full Frame Sensor
1080/30p Video		1080/25p Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800)		ISO 200-6,400
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 460k dots		3.0 LCD, 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second		3 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
130 x 100 x 78 mm, 480 g		139 x 80 x 42 mm, 680 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 1200D and the Leica M-E (Typ 240)? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 1200D and the Leica M-E Typ 240 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica M-E Typ 240 is notably smaller (14 percent) than the Canon 1200D. However, the M-E Typ 240 is substantially heavier (42 percent) than the 1200D. It is noteworthy in this context that the M-E Typ 240 is splash and dust-proof, while the 1200D does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (1200D) and the Leica M Lens Catalog (M-E Typ 240).

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Canon 1200D	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	480 g	500	n	Feb 2014	449
	Leica M-E Typ 240	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Jun 2019	3,999
	Canon 4000D	129 mm	102 mm	77 mm	436 g	500	n	Feb 2018	399
	Canon 1300D	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	485 g	500	n	Mar 2016	449
	Canon 750D	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	555 g	440	n	Feb 2015	749
	Canon 760D	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	565 g	440	n	Feb 2015	649
	Canon G9 X	98 mm	58 mm	31 mm	209 g	220	n	Oct 2015	529
	Canon M10	108 mm	67 mm	35 mm	301 g	255	n	Oct 2015	499
	Canon 100D	117 mm	91 mm	69 mm	407 g	380	n	Mar 2013	549
	Canon 700D	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	580 g	440	n	Mar 2013	649
	Canon 650D	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	575 g	440	n	Jun 2012	849
	Canon 1100D	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	495 g	700	n	Feb 2011	449
	Leica M10-R	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Jul 2020	8,295
	Leica M10-P	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Aug 2018	7,995
	Leica M10	139 mm	80 mm	39 mm	660 g	210	Y	Jan 2017	6,595
	Leica M Typ 262	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Nov 2015	5,195
	Leica M Typ 240	139 mm	80 mm	42 mm	680 g	..	Y	Sep 2012	6,950
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The 1200D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 89 percent) than the M-E Typ 240, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 1200D features an APS-C sensor and the Leica M-E Typ 240 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the M-E Typ 240 is 158 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 23.7MP, the M-E Typ 240 offers a higher resolution than the 1200D (17.9MP), but the M-E Typ 240 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.01μm versus 4.31μm for the 1200D) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the M-E Typ 240 is a much more recent model (by 5 years and 4 months) than the 1200D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Leica M-E Typ 240 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the M-E Typ 240 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 29.8 x 19.9 inches or 75.6 x 50.5 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 23.8 x 15.9 inches or 60.5 x 40.4 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 19.8 x 13.3 inches or 50.4 x 33.7 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 1200D are 25.9 x 17.3 inches or 65.8 x 43.9 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 13.8 inches or 52.7 x 35.1 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 11.5 inches or 43.9 x 29.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 1200D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica M-E (Typ 240) are ISO 200 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-6400.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

	Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
	Canon 1200D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.3	724	63
	Leica M-E Typ 240	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	1080/25p	..	..	..	..
	Canon 4000D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.4	695	63
	Canon 1300D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
	Canon 750D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.7	12.0	919	71
	Canon 760D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.6	12.0	915	70
	Canon G9 X	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.5	12.3	495	63
	Canon M10	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.2	11.4	753	65
	Canon 100D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.8	11.3	843	63
	Canon 700D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	681	61
	Canon 650D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	722	62
	Canon 1100D	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	720/30p	21.9	11.0	755	62
	Leica M10-R	Full Frame	40.9	7864	5200	none	..	..	..	..
	Leica M10-P	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	..	..	..	..
	Leica M10	Full Frame	23.8	5952	3992	none	24.4	13.2	2133	86
	Leica M Typ 262	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	none	..	..	..	..
	Leica M Typ 240	Full Frame	23.7	5952	3976	1080/25p	24.0	13.3	1860	84

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the 1200D provides a higher frame rate than the M-E Typ 240. It can shoot video footage at 1080/30p, while the Leica is limited to 1080/25p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 1200D and the M-E Typ 240 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinder in the M-E Typ 240 offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the 1200D (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the M-E Typ 240 has a higher magnification (0.68x vs 0.50x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 1200D and Leica M-E Typ 240 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

	Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
	Canon 1200D	optical	n	3.0	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Leica M-E Typ 240	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
	Canon 4000D	optical	n	2.7	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon 1300D	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon 750D	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Canon 760D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Canon G9 X	none	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	6.0	Y	Y
	Canon M10	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	4.6	Y	n
	Canon 100D	optical	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.9	Y	n
	Canon 700D	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Canon 650D	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Canon 1100D	optical	n	2.7	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Leica M10-R	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.5	n	n
	Leica M10-P	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
	Leica M10	optical	n	3.0	1037	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
	Leica M Typ 262	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
	Leica M Typ 240	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The 1200D has one, while the M-E Typ 240 does not. While the built-in flash of the 1200D is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 1200D and the M-E Typ 240 write their files to SDXC cards. The M-E Typ 240 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the 1200D cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 1200D and Leica M-E (Typ 240) and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

	Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
	Canon 1200D	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Leica M-E Typ 240	Y	mono	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 4000D	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon 1300D	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon 750D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon 760D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon G9 X	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon M10	-	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon 100D	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 700D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 650D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 1100D	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Leica M10-R	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
	Leica M10-P	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
	Leica M10	Y	-	-	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
	Leica M Typ 262	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Leica M Typ 240	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-

The M-E Typ 240 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Leica. In contrast, the 1200D has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the 1200D was succeeded by the Canon 1300D. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Leica websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 1200D and the Leica M-E Typ 240? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Canon EOS 1200D:

• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/30p versus 1080/25p).
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 200g or 29 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (89 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2014).

Arguments in favor of the Leica M-E (Typ 240):

• More detail: Has more megapixels (23.7 vs 17.9MP), which boosts linear resolution by 15%.
• Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.68x vs 0.50x).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 460k dots).
• More compact: Is smaller (139x80mm vs 130x100mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.
• More modern: Reflects 5 years and 4 months of technical progress since the 1200D launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the M-E Typ 240 is the clear winner of the contest (13 : 5 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 1200D and the M-E Typ 240 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	camera   labs	dp review	ephoto   zine	imaging resource	photography   blog	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Canon 1200D	+	..	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	449
	Leica M-E Typ 240	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2019	3,999
	Canon 4000D	o	..	3.5/5	..	3.5/5	Feb 2018	399
	Canon 1300D	o	73/100	4/5	3.5/5	4/5	Mar 2016	449
	Canon 750D	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	749
	Canon 760D	+	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	649
	Canon G9 X	+ +	..	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Oct 2015	529
	Canon M10	..	..	..	o	4/5	Oct 2015	499
	Canon 100D	+	78/100	4/5	4/5	4/5	Mar 2013	549
	Canon 700D	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2013	649
	Canon 650D	+ +	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	849
	Canon 1100D	80/100	69/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	449
	Leica M10-R	..	..	..	..	4/5	Jul 2020	8,295
	Leica M10-P	..	..	..	..	4/5	Aug 2018	7,995
	Leica M10	..	..	4/5	..	4.5/5	Jan 2017	6,595
	Leica M Typ 262	..	..	..	..	..	Nov 2015	5,195
	Leica M Typ 240	..	..	4/5	..	..	Sep 2012	6,950
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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Specifications: Canon 1200D vs Leica M-E Typ 240

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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